Since leaving Chicago Smoke Shop in the early 1990s Darren Watson has cemented his reputation as Aotearoa/New Zealand's most original, contemporary, blues-based voice. He's released seven albums including 2002s King Size (which was nominated for Best Roots Album | 2002 NZ Music Awards) 2005's South Pacific Soul, 2010's internationally acclaimed Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy, and Introducing Darren Watson from 2014. 2018's Too Many Millionaires represented a major shift in direction for the veteran musician. The record features all acoustic performances and it got rave reviews in local and international media, as well as hitting the Official NZ Top 20 and IMNZ charts for many weeks. Released in October of 2020, Watson’s latest album is Getting Sober For The End Of The World. The album features seven new Watson-penned tracks, a song by local Wellington stalwart Matt Hay, and a cover of a classic Robert Johnson tune. Joining Watson on the album is a supporting cast of great musicians including Mavis Staples musical director Rick Holmstrom who lends his inimitable Pops Staples-influenced electric guitar style to the album’s only electric track. The recording saw Darren nominated for Best Folk Album| 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards (formerly NZ Music Awards).